WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Former President Jimmy Carter is being honored Thursday at a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral before a second service in his hometown in Georgia.
President Joe Biden, who was the first sitting senator to endorse Carter's 1976 presidential campaign, will deliver a eulogy for his fellow Democrat just 11 days before he leaves office. All of Carter's living successors were in attendance at the Washington funeral, including President-elect Donald Trump.
The departure ceremony for the 39th president's casket began at the Capitol around 9 a.m. ET, with the official state funeral starting shortly after 10 a.m. ET
The service includes readings and speeches from family members, music performed by the U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra, and participation by a special honor guard.
The Carter Foundation has encouraged the public to join in honoring and celebrating Carter's life and legacy.
Thousands of Americans, including Trump and Melania Trump, have paid their respects to Carter as his remains laid in state inside the Capitol for the past two days.
"I think that he is just an inspiration in terms of his civility, kindness, politeness, his public service, his professionalism. I think that he really embodies a lot of values that I'd like to see come back to this country," a woman who visited Carter at the Capitol said.
"As a gentleman, I admired the way that he lived a very humble lifestyle as a president," said Tim Richey, another visitor to the Capitol.
Washington National Cathedral has hosted four state funerals for several former presidents, most recently for President George H.W. Bush in 2018.
After services in D.C., Carter's body will return to Plains, Georgia, for a second smaller funeral limited to family, friends and members of Maranatha Baptist Church, where Carter taught Sunday school after he left the White House.
He will be buried alongside his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, in the same town where they were born, lived most of their lives and died.
The White House shared a statement with NewsNation in which Biden praised Carter, describing him as "a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people — decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
